Advertisement

English rider Dani King to consider switching allegiances and compete for Wales at 2018 Commonwealth Games

Dani King is considering riding for Wales at next year's Commonwealth Games - PA Archive/PA Images
Dani King is considering riding for Wales at next year's Commonwealth Games - PA Archive/PA Images

Dani King, the Southampton-born Olympic gold medallist, is contemplating competing for Wales at next year's Commonwealth Games.

The 26-year-old won team pursuit gold at London 2012 and is a three-time world champion in the discipline, but has focused on the road since 2014, when she represented England at her only prior Commonwealth Games.

King says she meets the qualification criteria. She is now based in Wales, while riding for the American Cyclance trade team, and in October is marrying a Welshman in Matt Rowe, brother of Team Sky cyclist Luke Rowe.

"It is a possibility. It's still being decided at the moment," King has said.

Dani King, Laura Kenny and Joanna Rowsell-Shand - Dani King to consider switching allegiance and for Wales at 2018 Commonwealth Games - Credit: Getty Images
King won her Olympic gold medal on the track in 2012 alongside team-mates Laura Kenny (centre) and Joanna Rowsell-Shand Credit: Getty Images

King won Olympic gold on 'Super Saturday' in 2012 with Laura Kenny and Joanna Rowsell-Shand.

She could return to the track at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in a year's time.

King said: "I think my major target would be the road, but I'd like to think I could go well in the bunch races on the back of road training and specific track training as well."

The four-rider, four-kilometres team pursuit – one rider and one kilometre was added to the women's event in late 2014 – is now part of the Commonwealth Games programme.

And, on paper at least, Wales have a strong team with Olympic champion Elinor Barker, world medallist Ciara Horne, Manon Lloyd and Amy Roberts also in contention.

King could also be considered, depending on her other commitments.

She said: "It's whether it would fit with my specific target and also whether I'd be good enough to slip into a team pursuit line-up."

A track return for King could be a prelude towards a possible bid for a place on the track at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The revised omnium format of four bunch events in one day could attract her, as well as the Madison, which is a two-rider relay which the UCI is hoping will be added to the Olympic programme.

"At the moment I'm focusing on the road, but I do miss racing on the track," King added.

"The Madison's definitely something that really interests me. Going forwards, after the Commonwealth Games seeing how I feel and by then all will have been revealed for Tokyo in terms of the road course. And then I'll go from there."

It is not unusual for athletes to switch allegiance at Commonwealth Games. For example, cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel rode for England in 2006 and Northern Ireland in 2010.

Register Log in commenting policy